The Rickmansworth Masonic School for Girls played host to another Annual General Meeting of the Province of Middlesex Mark Degree on the 25th October. This was the first AGM presided over by the new Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Peter Hyde.
The Annual General Meeting Was Presided Over by RWBro Peter Hyde, Provincial Grand Master, Province of Middlesex1
The proceedings started early in the morning. Many volunteers were busy at the school, such as car park attendants, those erecting signs and setting up slideshows, merchandise sellers for second-hand regalia, and so on. All supporting the information sources and services running alongside the Mark Degree in Middlesex.
There was even a blood bike stall, set up to promote one of the latest Middlesex Mark Degree’s nominated charities. The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Deputy Directors of Ceremony and others were also very busy with the latest rehearsal to ensure that this year’s annual ceremony went off without a hitch.
The Great Hall at the school is often used for such larger and auspicious occasions and this year was no exception. The brethren, having taken their seats and the ceremony started, a number of delegations were welcomed into the hall, including this year’s banner lodge: Temple of Uxbridge Lodge (number 1393) and the Provincial Travelling Keystone, brought in by St Pancras Lodge (number 0494). A delegation of Royal Ark Mariners then followed. Senior masons, representatives from other provinces and many other prestigious orders of Freemasonry were already present in the tiered VIP seats.
The Annual General Meeting Was Held in the Great Hall of the School
The Provincial Grand Master addressed the delegates and dignitaries, clearly appreciating the many attendees who were there on the day to support this, his first time presiding over the AGM ceremony. RWBro Peter Hyde mentioned that there were 88 visiting VIP guests from 26 different Provinces from around the country, plus there were 6 heads of other orders and 4 past Mark executive members. Peter then paid tribute to his predecessor, RWBro Edward (Eddy) Garty, and to the excellent state of the Mark Province of Middlesex he had taken over last year. He said he regretted that Eddy was not able to attend the meeting on the day in person, as both would have wished.
The Provincial Grand Master also mentioned the blood bike appeal that has been launched by the Province of Middlesex, with a plan to purchase two new bikes for the service. This initiative was supported by the blood bike stand placed in the entrance lobby of the school. There were a number of other initiatives announced by the Provincial Grand Master for the benefit of Mark Masons throughout the region and intended to extend the reach of Mark Masonry within the province and beyond into the community.
The annual investiture of officers took place during the ceremony according to the well-rehearsed schedule, rewarding both those who had made significant contributions to Mark Masonry in the Province and to those who were being honoured for the first time. The Provincial Grand Master also addressed those who had been made Mark Masons during the previous year and congratulated them on their continuing efforts.
The ceremony was felt to be a great celebration of the state of Mark Masonry within the province of Middlesex, and a reflection of the high level of support that the province benefits from on such high-profile and prestigious occasions. The need for recruitment into the various orders of Freemasonry was also covered in detail, through recruitment, enabling future lodge members to enjoy the many benefits of masonry that we all enjoy.
An Excellent and Convivial Festive Board
The ceremony was followed by a festive board celebration in the main dining room of the school, which brought brethren together in a less formal setting at which glasses were raised to senior members of the fraternity and to fellow masons around the table.
The Provincial Grand Master Addresses the Festive Board
1All photos courtesy John Deehan, John Deehan Photography
– Roger Dewell, November 2025